A Stuttgart woman was arrested Friday after fleeing from police — blaming the incident on being late for work.

Stuttgart Police Department Ptl. William Basore was observing traffic on Buerkle Street Friday at 4:59 when he spotted a vehicle traveling very fast in the 35 miles per hour zone.

“I checked the vehicles speed with my handheld radar and received a clear and steady tone at 65 mph,” Basore wrote in his incident report.

The officer then initiated a traffic stop but the woman driving did not stop until she reacheda handicapped parking spot at Lennox Industries. When the woman pulled into the parking lot she nearly hit two security guards, according to the report.

“She exited the vehicle and ran toward the gates that lead into the building,” Basore said.

The 25-year-old Pine Bluff woman continued to run from the officer after he told her to stop. The woman said, “I have to clock in or I’ll be late.”

A short time later the woman came back outside the building and Basore placed the woman under arrest for wreckless driving, fleeing on foot and parking in a prohibited area. She was transported to SPD where she was issued her citations and sent on to Arkansas County Detention Center to be processed.

The woman’s vehicle was also towed from the scene.

The Stuttgart Daily Leader does not release names in misdemeanor cases until convicted. Readers can find the listings of those convicted every Wednesday on the Public Safety page of the Stuttgart Daily Leader, they are also listed each week at www.StuttgartDailyLeader.com.